How to Edit Aurora Photos

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How to Edit Northern Lights Photos in Lightroom (Updated December 31, 2025)

Capturing the aurora borealis (or australis) is magical, but editing brings out the true colors and details hidden in RAW files. This guide uses Adobe Lightroom Classic—keep edits natural to avoid fake-looking results.

Key tips:

  • Shoot in RAW for maximum flexibility.
  • Avoid over-saturating greens/purples.
  • Adjust to taste; experiment!

Inspiration: Stunning Aurora Examples

Step-by-Step Editing in Lightroom

  1. Import RAW & Open in Develop Module
    Import files, select photo, go to Develop.
  2. White Balance
    Try presets like Tungsten for cooler tones.
  3. Exposure & Dehaze
    Boost exposure slightly; add Dehaze for contrast in lights.
  4. Highlights, Shadows, Blacks & Whites
    Lower highlights; raise shadows for foreground detail.
  5. Contrast, Clarity & Texture
    Subtle contrast; boost clarity/texture for detail (watch noise).
  6. Vibrance/Saturation
    Minimal—prefer HSL for targeted colors.
  7. HSL/Color Panel
    Boost green/purple saturation, luminance, hue individually.
  8. Noise Reduction
    Luminance ~20-40; Color to 100 for smoother sky.
  9. Lens Corrections
    Enable profile corrections.
  10. Local Adjustments
    Use brush/gradient for selective exposure on aurora/foreground.
  11. Export
    JPEG for web; higher quality for prints.

Before & After Examples

Editing transforms flat RAWs into vibrant shots.

Practice on your shots—aurora editing is personal. Questions? Comment below!

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